Access Without Fear motion could help migrants in Regina who fear using city services

In talking about his notice of motion to implement an 'Access Without Fear' policy in Regina, Coun. Andrew Stevens says it is not about harbouring illegal immigrants, but about welcoming newcomers to the city.

Craig Baird, Regina Leader-Post

Published on: June 27, 2017 | Last Updated: June 27, 2017 4:20 PM CST

Protestors rally at Victoria Park against the recent policy decision of U.S. president Donald Trump. Michael Bell

In talking about his notice of motion to implement an Access Without Fear policy in Regina, Coun. Andrew Stevens says it is not about harbouring illegal immigrants, but about welcoming newcomers to the city.

“It is recognition that there are newcomers in Saskatchewan and across Canada that fear accessing civic services,” Stevens said. “The motion itself is an embrace of the City of Regina’s vision to have Regina be Canada’s most-inclusive, vibrant, attractive and sustainable community; to show that we as a community are opposed to anti-immigrant and anti-newcomer attitudes that have surfaced in the city.”

The motion asks that the city recognize full rights to access city administration services regardless of immigration status, and that administration conduct a review on how city agencies can improve access for refugees and immigrants and provide training for city employees regarding access to city services for immigrants. A report would then be provided to council in early-2018.

Work on the proposal began months ago and was partly spurred on by the election of President Donald Trump and the rise of anti-immigration groups locally.

“Shortly after he took office, he enacted some incredibly racist travel restrictions and bans,” Stevens said. “I think what is an important moment is that when Syrian refugees were coming here, you see the emergence of anti-immigration and racist organizations.”

According to Mirtha Rivera, who is part of the Access Without Fear group, many migrants and newcomers fear even reporting fires or crimes because they lack documentation.

“When you don’t have any documents, or papers to say who you are or why you are staying here, you are not going to access those services,” Rivera said. “They don’t believe they are going to be protected. They are coming from situations where people in uniforms are putting them in jail or trying to kill them.”

Rivera added that some migrants fear for their lives when they arrive, which is something the Access Without Fear group would like to put an end to with its proposal.

“(They) are coming into situations where they fear for their lives and situations where there is a lot of Islamophobia, where they get rejected and threatened,” she said. “(The proposal) will make it a lot easier and make them feel they don’t have to worry or justify who they are, or why they are here.”

If council approves the motion, it would effectively make Regina a sanctuary city, but Stevens stated the group went with an Access Without Fear policy over a sanctuary city declaration for accuracy.

“Sanctuary city is more in the United States. It is a bit different there because cities have more control over health care, social services and education,” Stevens said. “We don’t have that in Saskatchewan … this would be within the boundaries of the city’s jurisdiction.”

Council will address the motion, and hear from delegations, at the July 31 meeting.

“I hope that the city will implement something that will tell those people in a clear way and easy way that they have access to services in the city, they are not different from anyone else,” Rivera said. “Already as it is, there are lots of situations that I have seen that people have been protected and welcomed in the city. Regina is very friendly.”

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